Customer Reviews

SE Lensatic Compass

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

As an avid hiker for most of my life I learned a long time ago that one never steps foot into the wilderness without a good compass. One has to be in the deep woods and get turned around without a compass first to imagine how easily you can swear you're heading one way, and be totally fooled. Although the other reviewers here that made a lot of comments about this compass not being as heavy and rugged as it appears are essentially correct, I have to disagree with them in not recommending it. At $5.00 and free shipping it is the best deal and best compass I have ever held. One could manage to barely pick up a toy compass at Toys R' Us for $5. And even then don't forget the sales tax. The fact is that most of us that go out and blow a whole lot of money on an expensive compass spend most of the time taking it out to show other folks, and finding their way with it to their shed in the back yard. This compass will suffice in being accurate in 95% of the situations you will find yourself ever needing a compass for. I would hesitate to recommend this particular compass to anyone whose average use of one entails taking on the savage elements in life and death situations worthy of tall tales around the camp fire. However if your idea of a rugged wilderness outing is camping just on the outskirts of civilization, where your wanderings may lead you too far from the local McDonald's, I highly recommend this very accurate and well designed compass. In short, most of us will hardly ever be in the need of anything that much more expensive like some others here have suggested. My best recommendation is to buy this compass and then read up on its best use in the numerous articles available on the subject here on the web. Or if you prefer something deeper and more educational on a broad scale, may I suggest the SAS Survival Handbook which I have enclosed a link too. Its an excellent, plainly written guide on all areas and expertise as to survival tactics at a reasonable price, and, contains a very easy to understand and thorough chapter on the basics of using a compass. Remember to watch your step, and Happy Trails!!! SAS Survival Guide Handbook (Collins Gem)

Update: Since the writing of this review the price of this compass has gone from the original $5.00 to a high of $7.00. The shipping on it is sometimes free, and at other times only free if it is part of a $25 bundle. This compass remains a solid deal to me even at $7.00. But unless the shipping is either free, or free due to your making it part of a bundle, (or you just like it and want it right away), I would add this to your wish list and keep an eye on it. For the shipping changes from free on its own, to free as a bundle quite often. Don't let the price change on the compass itself bother you, unless it happens to rise dramatically. It remains a solid bargain in my opinion even considering the minor changes...

"Lensatic" Military Compasses are some of the best and this one is very reasonably priced. This compass is black powder-coated which means it does not scratch. The Dial is extremely easy to read and floats easily in the liquid chamber. The sighting-slit unit/top cover lens is perfect for accuracy and sits perfectly on your map. This unit even reads in the moonlight. Nice inexpensive and lightweight compass for hiking/backpacking. "Lensatic" is the leader in compasses.

All I required of the compass was that it show me roughly where North was.

Unfortunately, the particular item I received isn't quite sure where North is. Magnetic North moves 20-40 degrees at any given time (even out in the open).

Although made to look like an old military compass with sighting doodads and a scale, the missing ingredient is the ability to do what one expects of a compass. The Chinese manufacturer apparently thought looks were more important than function.

Even though this brought great joy to my son "cub" for over 9 months it came to the end of its life when it froze, thawed, got to many air bubbles inside then accidently got dropped coming down some talus, as it rolled down the mountain it then brought great joy to me to see it go. This is a sad little compass and if you bought this to actually use, then you will be making a sad choice. Do us all a favor (Rangers, S&R, and fellow hikers), Buy a real compass so you dont need to be bailed out because this thing will fail you. And remember, Shelter, water, fire, compass, knife, and whistle, will keep you alive and make it easier for us to find you in case of an emergency.

I bought this item basically because of the reviews and price. I'd read a few that noted that the item did not point north, but I attributed that to possible user error. When I recieved my order I found that the dial within the compass is not properly balanced, and as such the dial sticks very easily. This compass sticks even when laying on a flat surface, and because of this it does not reliably read north. I fear for anyone who uses this compass as a novice. Its not a reliable tool and could get you very, very lost.

I wish to issue a CAVEAT about this compass!

While it is in general a fine instrument, the one I received DID NOT have a luminous (aka glow-in-the-dark) dial or luminous cardinal points as the product description on Amazon claims. (The compass' box also makes this incorrect claim.) The ONLY luminous points were the two small dots at the top and bottom of the hairline.

So while it is indeed a good compass, don't buy it if you think you're getting a luminous dial and this is important to you. If not, please go ahead because it is otherwise a fine instrument!

(And as an aside, while this may be because I'm a relative novice at using this instrument, I originally thought the small magnifying lens was to improve the distant sighting view through the hairline. This is not in fact the case and can't happen because its focus is completely wrong for that: the small lens is in fact intended to point downward to magnify the compass dial while you're sighting the distant view. So this is no problem, just something that others may also initially misconstrue. <The diagram on the box does clarify this usage if one looks at it carefully, as I eventually did.>)

First let me say that I do not own this item. My experience with this piece of junk is extensive though, and I want to warn anyone who may be thinking of purchasing it to stay away. As a former instructor at the US Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy, I saw countless students arrive with these thinking that they were ready to tackle the land navigation course. This compass does not perform well under any conditions. They are not accurate. They do not seal out moisture well. They do not hold up to rough handling. They are not self luminous. Maybe you are thinking that you don't need a rugged military spec compass. Maybe you think I am being overly critical because I am a Soldier. Ask yourself what conditions you might be faced with when you need your compass in an emergency. Hot? Cold? Wet? Dark? Rough Terrain? Will you trust your life to a piece of equipment that costs little more than a drive-thru meal? Don't chance it. Buy this instead: Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass - OD Green It is the real deal and won't let you down when you need it the most.

The compass is rugged. it's good for hiking. I like the look and the feel of it.

I am very satisfied with this compass, for the price. I wanted a compass for some experiments, and this was fine for that. I'm not sure how useful it is for more rugged intentions, but I'm glad I purchased it. The case was worthless though, although I wasn't even expecting a case, I don't think it matters.

Tough exterior, looks nice and durable, but the needle(the disk)moves so dang slow. I remember having a ball compass that is ten times faster and I'm considering buying one.